All Education
Americans' confidence rising in public school teachers, poll findsPublic school teachers have taken a bashing, in part because of moves to tie student scores on standardized tests directly to teacher performance. Now, a new poll suggests that Americans' confidence is rising in their neighborhood schools and the people who run them.
FocusIs your student 'competent'? A new education yardstick takes the measure.A new learning regimen requires pupils to show proficiency in 'core competencies' for each subject – with no exceptions. It's called competency-based education. Here's who's trying it and what it entails.
- FocusA faster, cheaper way to go through college – and emerge 'competent'?
Advocates of competency-based learning see it as a potential game changer for higher education. The approach can make college degrees more affordable, and can assure employers that graduates have mastered a defined set of ideas and skills.
- College costs keep rising faster than inflation, survey says
College tuition costs, as well as room and board, are racing upward. Tuition and fees at community colleges are up 24 percent more than inflation over the past five years, according to a new College Board survey.
Chinese students coming to US middle schools? It's starting to happen.Less than a decade ago, virtually no Chinese students attended American middle and high schools, but that is rapidly changing, as Chinese students seek a different educational experience.
New York test scores hint at hard road ahead for Common CoreNew York is among the first of 45 states to test students as it implements new standards for college- and career-readiness. The poor results mean the Common Core reforms will require patience.
Rocky's law: Illinois schools to carry catastrophic insurance for athletesIllinois Gov. Pat Quinn signed a law that aims to 'provide comfort to sports families across Illinois' by requiring schools to have insurance to cover serious injuries to student athletes – and avoid lawsuits.
Florida education chief Tony Bennett resigns over how a C became an ATony Bennett stepped down after reports that, while directing Indiana schools, he upped the grade of a charter school reportedly run by a major GOP donor. It's a blow to attempts to grade schools.
House GOP pushes through curbs on No Child Left BehindThe House bill rolls back much of the accountability requirements for the No Child Left Behind law. It also locks in lower levels of federal funding. The Obama administration threatened a veto.
Senate back at student loans as pressure and rates mount, but deal elusiveA key student loan rate doubled last week after Congress refused to act, but the majority Democrats in the Senate are split and the party leadership is looking for a short-term fix.
To the mat: Parents to appeal ruling allowing yoga in public schoolsA San Diego judge ruled that teaching yoga in Encinitas, Calif., public schools does not violate First Amendment protections against religious indoctrination. The attorney for the parents says there are several avenues for appeal.
- Charter schools inconsistent but improving, national study finds
An update of a landmark 2009 study showed charter schools on the whole have turned their performance around and are serving poor and minority students especially well.
Hillary Clinton's next big thing? Early childhood project called 'Too Small.'Hillary Clinton, a longtime children's advocate, helped launch the Too Small to Fail initiative that aims to bring parents, businesses, and communities together on behalf of children under age five.
How immigration reform might also spur young Americans to study math, scienceMeasures in immigration reform legislation would channel fees from high-skilled visas into investments for American students to delve into science, technology, engineering, and math.
Obama wants faster Internet in US schools. Would you pay $5 a year for it?'We expect free wifi with our coffee, why shouldn't we have it in our schools?' Obama said in pressing for an initiative to urgently upgrade Internet connections at US schools.
Student loans 101: What's really at stake as Washington squabblesFrom market-based rates to interest rate caps, here's a primer on the proposals floating around Washington for dealing with student loans. How they're alike and how they differ.
Chicago simmers over school closings. Is that bad for Mayor Emanuel?The Chicago Teachers Union said it was filing a lawsuit protesting the school closings, adding to two filed by parents last week. Critics say they suspect Mayor Emanuel is paving the way for charter schools.
Fired for word: 'Negro' in Spanish classFired for word 'negro'? A Bronx teacher has filed a lawsuit claiming she was fired for using the word 'negro' in class. 'Negro' is the Spanish word for the color black.
- Progress WatchLatinos head to college at a record rate, now on par with white students
The push to keep Latino students on track for college seems to be paying off. The college enrollment rate for Hispanics is up 20 percent since 2000, narrowing the 'education gap.'
FocusEducation reform's next big thing: Common Core standards ramp upCommon Core standards are aimed at building students' critical thinking skills, and 46 states have adopted them. But critics say the methods are unproven and the education reform is moving too fast.
